Three people were taken to hospitals after a van and a riding lawn mower collided on County Highway 8 in the town of Oneonta on Oct. 25, according to New York State Police. This incident is being referred to as the Oneonta van and lawn mower crash.
Troopers at Oneonta responded at about 1:20 p.m. Police described the collision as a serious crash in an Oct. 26 news release. The investigation remains ongoing.
What police say happened
A 24-year-old woman from Otego was driving a 2023 Ram ProMaster van south on County Highway 8, police said. A 66-year-old man from Oneonta was operating a Kubota riding lawn mower in the same direction.
Police said the van struck the mower. Both overturned onto their sides, and the mower operator was thrown from the machine.
The release did not explain what led to the collision or announce any charges or traffic tickets. It did not identify the three people by name.
Three people transported for care
The van driver and a 37-year-old male passenger were taken to A.O. Fox Hospital for treatment, according to State Police.
The mower operator was flown by a LifeNet helicopter to Albany Medical Center. Police did not provide medical conditions for any of the three people in the Oct. 26 release.
Crash investigation continues
The State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit responded to help investigate. The police account is preliminary, and the release does not make a final finding about responsibility for the crash.
The reported location is the town of Oneonta, not the city of Oneonta. Both are in Otsego County.
Source
New York State Police: Troopers investigate crash involving van and riding lawn mower in Oneonta, released Oct. 26, 2026.